Vera Jean Chappelle's Obituary
Vera Jean Chappelle, at the age of 82 died in Orinda on November 7, 2016, whilst being cared
for by her daughter Joy Truth McGowan. She was stricken with neuromyelitis optica in 2003 that
eventually led to quadriplegia in 2015.
Vera Jean was born on April 5, 1934, in Moscow, Texas, to Carnegie and Mildred Chappell . The
seventh of seven children, five sisters, Ruby, Eller, Geneva, Liletha and Hallie, and one brother,
Alfred. She and her immediate family lived with her grandma and grandpa on a twenty-seven
acres family farm in Moscow. It was in Moscow, at the age of five that her love for the piano was
born at a small Methodist church. Often at home on the farm, she’d raise the bedroom window,
pull up a chair, and play her imaginary piano when the family sang their songs.
The family moved to Houston, Texas when she was five and then on to San Francisco, California
in 1944 due to the strains of living in the Jim Crow south. They lived with her mother’s sister
Novella Holcomb, who they called “Auntie,” Auntie had a profound effect on Vera. She described
Auntie as “an extraordinary woman by all accounts.” Auntie had migrated to San Francisco in
1918, and she was the family cook for the sugar magnate Spreckles family. There Auntie
received training in the art of fine living. Auntie opened her home and shared all of her gifts with
the family.
Vera had a penchant for learning. She attended Raphael Weill Elementary where she thrived
academically and learned to play the violin. She was elected president of the graduating class
and was featured in the Call Bulletin Newspaper. When she was twelve years old, she joined Jones Methodist Church and began piano lessons, participated in the Youth Choir and The Methodist Youth Fellowship. She graduated from Girls’ High in 1952, was elected student body president, was valedictorian at her graduation ceremonies, was a debutante and received a scholarship to San Francisco State College.
She majored in Elementary Education and met lifelong friends at San Francisco State most of
whom shared her love of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann and Tchaikovsky. There she
was a member of the chorus, was crowned Sweetheart of Phi Beta Sigma, 1955, and pledged
Zeta Phi Beta. She accepted a job as the choir director of The Chinese Methodist Church and began student teaching.
She married Clarence R. Stern in 1957 gave birth to Enid Juliana Stern. She married Leroy
Appleby in 1965 and gave birth to Joy Truth Appleby. Vera was a devoted mother. She was
committed to the health, well-being and overall success of her girls. Enid was diagnosed with
Sickle Cell Anemia at the age of two. Vera fully educated herself about how to care properly for a
child with sickle cell anemia. She managed Enid’s health whilst exposing her girls to education,
art, fine living and travel.
The family moved to Richmond, California in 1969 and she began her teaching career with the
Richmond Unified School District. Vera was committed to serving children particularly
underprivileged children and truly believed that all children could learn. She had a way of
becoming totally involved with needy children. She would often host her students at her home and expose them to the arts and teach them life skills.
She moved to San Francisco in 1985 and retired in 1991. She cared for her ailing mother and
Aunt Lillian Johns in her home until their deaths in 1994 and 1993 respectively. In 1993 she became the Director of the Temple United Methodist Church tutorial program, taught piano in
her home and was a board member of the Charles A. Tindley Choir. Vera was a world traveler.
She traveled with her girls and friends to five continents of the globe.
Vera moved to San Leandro in 2003, as she could no longer navigate the stairs in her San
Francisco home. She then lived closer to her daughters and nephew, Reginald Williams.
She was initially paralyzed on the left side of her body with extensive physical and occupational therapy she progressed from a wheelchair to being able to walk with a cane. She met new
friends, was season a ticket holder to the San Francisco Opera and Symphony. With the help
of caretakers, she attended concerts, shopped, took walks in the neighborhood and visited
friends and family. She also added author to her many accomplishments during this time when
she penned her memoir Beauty and Truth, journeying through joy and sorrow—pain and peace.
Preceding her in death was her daughter Enid, mother Mildred, father Carnegie, sister Ruby,
sister Geneva, brother Alfred, sister Liletha, and sister Hallie.
Her loving and devoted daughter, Joy McGowan, her son in law Neil McGowan, and grandson
Jordan McGowan survive her. Her sister, Eller Mae Taylor and a host of nieces and nephews will
also miss her.
Vera Chappelle Memorial
Chapel of the Chimes – Julia Morgan Room
4499 Piedmont Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
Saturday, November 26th 2016 at 1pm.
Repast directly after the service.
What’s your fondest memory of Vera?
What’s a lesson you learned from Vera?
Share a story where Vera's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Vera you’ll never forget.
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